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Anna Hazare to Meet Sonia Gandhi

Social activist Anna Hazare, who heads the civil activists group participating in drafting of the Jan Lokpal bill, is likely to meet the UPA chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. He said that he would meet Sonia Gandhi on Thursday (Today) and will try to pursuade her to include the office of the Prime Minister in the Lokpal Bill. Anna Hazare is reaching out to all parties to build a consensus on the Lokpal Bill. Yesterday Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has stated in an interview to the press that he doesn't have any objection for his office to be brought under the ambit of Lokpal. Taking cue from this, Anna said "We will meet all parties. We will meet Sonia and tell her if the Prime Minister is saying so, then what is the problem." He added, the incumbent Prime Minister is an honest man. "The Union Cabinet belongs to India, the people in the Cabinet are our people. Then what is the problem in taking the decision? They should be able to take it for the country," Anna questioned.    

Prof Jayashankar Spurthi Sabha - Live

Rich tributes were paid to TRS ideologue Prof. K Jayashankar who passed away recently, at a condolence meeting named as 'Spurthi Sabha' held at Ravindra Bharathi Today evening. Leaders and activists from TRS, TJAC and several other pro-Telangana parties attended the sabha and paid rich tributes to the departed professor. Former Vice-chairperson of Rajya Smt. Nazma Hepthullah came all the way from Delhi to pay her homage to prof Jayashankar. Prominent leaders K Chandrasekhar Rao, prof Kodandaram, Nazma Hepthullah and several others spoke on the occasion and remembered times and unrelenting struggle of prof Jayashankar for achieving separate Telangana.        

Ghazal Maestros Enthrall Hyderabad

It was a real feast to the eyes of the Ghazal lovers, those who have witnessed two renowned Ghazal Maestros' meeting on a dias at 'N' Convention Centre, Hyderabad and the ghazal evening organized by Dr Parakala Prabhakar.   Those two ghazal Maestros are none other than Pt Pankaj Udhas Ji and Dr Ghazal Srinvas ji. Both are highly reputed ghazal singers who have reached the heights of their career and won the hearts of the millions of ghazal lovers all over the world.     Pt Pankaj Udhas Ji visited Hyderabad after four years of long gap to perform for a cause. As symbol of respect for a senior most Ghazal singer, "Telugu Ghazal Maestro" Dr Ghazal Srinivas honored Pt PankaJ Udhas ji during the occasion and presented our Telugu Pride "Kondapalli Toy" to the visiting Ghazal Maestro. Pt Pankaj Udhas appreciated the affection of Ghazal Srinivas.   Both the Ghazal Maestros spent an abundant time on trends of Ghazal Lyrics and presentation of Ghazals in Hindi and other regional languages. Audience thoroughly enjoyed the presence of Legendry Ghazal singers and conveyed their ovation to Ghazal Maestros.  

SC Stayed Tata Motors Singur Land Distribution

The Supreme Court provided interim protection to the rights of Tata Motors till disposal of the main matters pending before the Calcutta High Court on the land earmarked for the Tata Motors’ integrated project at Singur.   The order was passed on a Special Leave Petition (SLP) by Tata Motors to stay distribution of land till the Calcutta High Court has disposed of the main matters. Tata Motors appealed to the Supreme Court that the position on the ground should not be irretrievably changed when the main matters are pending before the Calcutta High Court.    

Ponnala Contradicts Sathya Sai Central Trust Claim

Endowments minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah sprang a surprise by claiming that the Sai Trust was registered under the Endowments Act in 1976 itself. This claim surprised many as everybody was under the impression that the Trust was an indendent body with no control of government or any statutory regulation. Warning that the government is watching the latest developments in the Sathya Sai Central Trust, the minister said, "When the Trust was registered as per the government norms, it is the government's responsibility to scrutinise its affairs if something goes wrong." He said, because of service-oriented activities carried out by the Trust all these years, the government has not involved itself in its activities. But after the demise of Sai Baba, several allegations have been made on the Trust and its activities. The government had asked for a complete factual report from the Trust. "We will act once we receive the report. We have given them 10 days time," he said.

No Role For Govt in Its Affairs: Sathya Sai Central Trust

For the first time the Sathya Sai Central Trust has openly asserted that there is no need for the government to interfere and it is capable of running the affairs of the trust on its own. Addressing a press conference, Trust member V Srinivasan, said that Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) is a public charitable trust. "Ours is not a religious institution. We are a service/ spiritual institution. So, the question of running it on the lines of Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams (TTD) doesn't arise," he pointed out. When asked about government monitoring trust's activities, he said, "It is up to the government to take a call. But the Trust is being run efficiently and in a transparent manner. So, we do not see any role for the government," he said. He refuted any wrongdoings in the Trust and said that there was a transparency in all its transactions. Pressed further on the government ordering the Trust to furnish all the details pertaining to its activities and financial transactions, he said, "We will submit a report to the government. Any request from the government will be promptly attended to." He said the Trust has filed all statutory returns and donations received from devotees, which have been duly deposited in nationalised banks. The trustees would fully comply with the law and added that the exemptions given to the Trust by the government were in 'appreciation' of its welfare activities. Regarding reports of black money in Prashanthi Nilayam, the trustee said "No cash has been received by the trustees since they took charge after the death of Sai Baba on April 24."

Old City Contract Marriage Racket Busted

With a 16 year old minor, Nousheen Begum lodging a complaint with the Moghalpura police, a contract marriage racket came to light in the old city of Hyderabad. In her complaint Nousheen stated that her 'nikah' (marriage) was performed on June 9 without her consent. The police busted the racket and arrested six persons including two Kazis. Two Sudanese students and two women brokers who lured minor girls were also arrested. Nousheen Begum claimed that the nikah was performed at the behest of her mother and two women brokers. Ansari, the Sudanese student, paid Rs 50,000 meher (dowry) to her mother, which was shared by the two mediators and qazis, Nousheen charged in her complaint. She told the police that the Sudanese bridegroom Mohammed Ansari had sex with her and ruined her life. Nousheen requested the police to give her protection from the Sudanese bridegroom as she was wrongfully confined at AB Apartments of Prem Nagar in Khairatabad. She also sought action against his Sudanese friend Khaled, who misbehaved with her. Police said Zahra Begum and Ghousia Begum had been operating in the Old City scouting for poor minor Muslim girls and luring their parents into performing marriages with foreigners. These women took the help of qazis Shakeel and Mallik in preparing fake documents and performing the 'nikah'.

Chiru Qutting Mega Star Post to Become CM

Prajarajyam Party president Chiranjeevi, who recently mergerd his party with the Congress, triggered immense speculation by saying that he will become the chief minister in real life rather than in reel life. He also made it clear that his career as a film actor is over and that he would remain in active politics. Mr. Chiranjeevi made this statement while replying to questions at the launch of a TV channel on Tuesday. When asked if he would consider donning the role of chief minister in a film, Chiranjeevi said, "Why CM in cinema? People want to see me as chief minister in real life." The actor-turned-politician also said he would not act in movies anymore. "My son Ram Charan Tej will fulfil mine as well as your aspirations by providing entertainment in the celluloid form." Chiranjeevi's sudden and categorical statement about staying on in politics adds to the speculation as to whether he has been assured of a key role for the Congress party in the state which has seen instability and in-fighting ever since the demise of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in September 2009. PRP sources had claimed in the past that their leader was assured that he would lead the Congress campaign in the 2014 elections, a claim that Congress has not been able to confirm so far.  

New Seaport, Shipyard to Come up Near Vizag

The industrial profile of Visakhapatnam is all set to get a major boost with the Centre accepting the proposal of Andhra Pradesh government to locate its proposed integrated major port and shipyard near Vizag. Sources told that the Ministry of Shipping has approved the location that was identified by the chief minister's office after a preliminary survey. The proposed site is located at Nakkapali, 60 km from Vizag. Sources said up to 5,000 acres is required as the proposed port would also have a Greenfield shipyard to undertake repair of ships as well as construction of Very Large Crude Carriers and merchant ships. The need for a greenfield shipyard has become a necessity after the Hindustan Shipyard Limited was taken over by the Ministry of Defence. Now the Ministry of Shipping wants to have a new shipyard as HSL, being in the defence sector, will only construct warships and submarines. The twin projects - the major port and shipyard will need a massive investment - up to Rs.10,000 crore. Hence the projects will be taken up in phases through the Public Private Partnership route. According to indications, the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, which runs the Visakhapatnam Port, may also seek equity in the prestigious project. Though another site, Ramayyapeta, on the southern tip, is also proposed as an alternative location, sources said Visakhapatnam, due to availability of world-class infrastructure, is being given preference by the State government.    

Murlimanohar Joshi Attempts to Re-submit Rejected 2G Report

The Congress and its allies foiled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi's attempt to table before the reconstituted Public Accounts Committee (PAC) the rejected report of the previous panel that had hinted at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram's role in the alleged 2G scam. Murlimanohar Joshi, who heads the panel that oversees the government's spending, tried to table the report at a meeting of the new committee but the Congress members, led by Jayanti Natarajan, opposed this on the ground that a report that had been rejected would have to be redrafted before it could be presented again, sources said. The Congress members of the newly-formed panel were also arguing that the 2G scam was already being probed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and there was no need for the PAC to get into it. The report was sharply critical of Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram, who was the finance minister in 2007-08 when alleged irregularities were commited in allotting licenses to use scarce radio waves for high-end mobile phone services.    

Chidambaram Flies to Russia on a 3 Day Visit

In the first visit by an Indian Home Minister in 15 years, P Chidambaram is leaving for Russia on a three-day visit during which he will hold high-level security dialogue with top Russian ministers and officials. Chidambaram will hold wide ranging talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, Director General of Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov and other senior officials responsible for the homeland security and anti-terror combat, official sources said. He is the first Indian Home Minister to visit Russia in almost 15 years since Indrajit Gupta's visit in 1997. During their talks on Wednesday, his Russian counterpart General Nurgaliyev is expected to brief Chidambaram on the ongoing police reforms in Russia to transform it into a streamlined law enforcement force of a civil society. Under the reforms ordered by President Dmitry Medvedev, the Soviet era mechanism of a paramilitary force has been dismantled and it has been renamed from 'militia' to 'police' like in most of the civilised world.    

Singur Land: Tata Motors to Move Supreme Court

Tata Motors Ltd. has said it will approach the Supreme Court of India to seek a stay on the West Bengal state government's move to return to farmers a piece of land, which was earlier allocated to the company to set up a minicar-manufacturing plant. The company's statement came after the Calcutta High Court, the top court in the eastern state, refused to stay a law enacted by the West Bengal government to take over 997.17 acres allotted to build a facility to manufacture the Nano, the world's cheapest passenger car. Tata Motors, India's largest auto maker by sales, had planned to build the facility at the land at Singur near West Bengal's capital city of Kolkata. But the plan was abandoned in October 2008 following violent protests by farmer groups over acquisition of farmland, and the car-manufacturing project was later shifted to the western state of Gujarat. On June 14, after a new government came to power in the state, West Bengal passed the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act 2011 to take over the land and return 400 acres from that to farmers. The state plans to use the remaining land for socio-economic projects. In a statement late Monday, Tata Motors said "as per the country's legal procedures, the company will agitate the matter before the Supreme Court."    

TJAC Plans Siege of T Ministers Houses

As part of their long-drawn strategy to hold agitational programmes, the T- JAC has decided to lay siege to the houses of ministers from the region on July 3, in support of their demand for the introduction of Telangana Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament. There are 12 ministers from Telangana region, including deputy chief minister Damodar Raja Narasimha. Other ministers are K Jana Reddy, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, D Sridhar Babu, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, P Sabita Indra Reddy, D Nagendar, P Sudarshan Reddy, Ramreddy Venkat Reddy, V Sunita Laxma Reddy, J Geeta Reddy and D K Aruna. The student JAC has decided to send a strong message to these ministers by conveying to them that Telangana state would be a reality within days if they quit their posts en masse and create a constitutional crisis. "We want to tell them that they alone have the potential to shake the Centre. We will urge them to act fast keeping in mind the sacrifices made by more than 650 students in support of the cause," said a student leader. The T-JAC meanwhile, has decided to build pressure on all elected representatives from the region to resign from their posts by this month end. "Our efforts to convince MPs, MLAs and MLCs to quit their posts are still underway. We hope to have a positive outcome in the next two or three days," said a T-JAC leader. Meanwhile, the TRS and its affiliates too have decided to step up their activities in line with the directives of the party. The party state executive is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, where some important resolutions are likely to be taken.

Tiger Narendra Re-surfaces: Calls KCR a Cheat

Former MP, 'Tiger', A Narendra launched a scathing attack against Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhara Rao by calling him a ‘cheat’ and asserted that Telangana would be possible with the support of Bharatiya Janata Party. Addressing the media after joining BJP along with close associates Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy and Mechineni Kishan Rao and a large number of supporters on Monday, Narendra explained in detail how he was lured and cheated by KCR to merge his party, Telangana Sadhana Samithi, with TRS. A Nrendra said, "KCR assured me that he would take me along in the fight for Telangana. However, things went awry when he began to coldshoulder me and began taking unilateral decisions. He isolated me within the party by making wild allegations. He repeatedly let me down and all his assurances turned out to be false. He is a cheat. KCR cannot achieve Telangana. I had drifted away from BJP because I felt that the party was not sincere on Telangana. But, I am completely convinced that Telangana state will be a reality only with the support of a national party like BJP." Recalling his brief association with Congress, Narendra said he was inspired by former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to join the party. Former TRS MLA from Hanamkonda Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy, another KCR critic, said it had been a decade since he had left BJP to join TRS with a singlepoint agenda of achieving Telangana.  

Botsa Plays Gas Card to Undermine Bus Fares Hike

The recent hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG has burdened the people of Andhra Pradesh and the Kiran Kumar government has decided to absorb half of the Rs 50 hike effected by the UPA government on LPG. A decision to this effect is likely to be announced on Tuesday. Costing Rs 342 per cylinder earlier, LPG prices have shot up to Rs 394.29 per cylinder following the hike last Saturday. Assuming the state government will absorb about Rs 25 of the hike, the consumer will now have to pay about Rs 370 per cylinder. Former chief minister late YS Rajasekhar Reddy also did the same during his tenure, when the LPG prices were hiked in 2008. A shrewd politician never misses the chance to project himself in good light and to cover up his shortfalls. The PCC president and Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana did the same. On Monday he rushed to the chief minister's chambers in the Secretariat and submitted a request seeking a subsidy in the LPG price. Later he gave a press statement "As PCC president, I requested the CM to share part of the burden arising out of the LPG price hike by the Centre. He agreed to the same." Botsa also is said to have asked the chief minister to make this announcement from Gandhi Bhavan, certainly to grab full credit for the LPG price reduction for himself alone. But the CM, also a politician, told him that he has a busy schedule on Tuesday and can't make it to Gandhi Bhavan, so he would announce it himself. Well on the other hand, Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana has already okayed APSRTC's proposal to hike bus fares following the recent hike in the price of diesel. The decision was taken following a meeting Botsa had with APSRTC managing director B Prasada Rao. The minister said the hike in tariff had become inevitable since the corporation was incurring losses and the state government was not in a position to absorb the additional burden on account of increase in the diesel prices. However, the minister tried to console the to be burdened commuters saying, "In fact, neighbouring states like Karnataka announced revised tariffs from Sunday night itself. We are still mulling over it since we want to levy the minimum burden on the common man."    

LeT Imparts Terror Training Courses: David Headley

David Headley, a Pakistani-American LeT operative, provided an insight into the religious, military and intelligence training being imparted by LeT, which has been responsible for the Mumbai attacks. Headley told that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba runs a series of well-oiled courses for budding terrorists, ranging from religious indoctrination to military and intelligence training, which are aimed at boosting militancy in Kashmir. In his testimony during the recently concluded trial of co-accused Tahawwur Rana, Headley told the court that he went for religious training by the LeT in 2002, the three-month operational military training in 2003 and the LeT leadership course in 2004. In between, he did a course in intelligence in 2003. "I did the basic - the religious course in the beginning. I did a preliminary course, a military. And then I did the advanced course. Then I did the intelligence course. Then I did the anti-terrorist course. Then I did the leadership course. And that's it." He told the court that all these courses were directed towards fighting in Kashmir.    

Journalist Dey Murder: Police Pins-up Chhota Rajan Gang

The Mumbai Police claim to have cracked the murder case of senior journalist Jyotirmoy Dey. Mr Dey, a senior crime journalist with Mid Day, was shot dead outside a shopping mall in Powai on June 11. Dey's murder, police say, was a case of contract killing. A Chhota Rajan gang shooter is among 7 people who have been arrested in connection with the case. After several rounds of questioning, the men were remanded to police custody till July 4. At a press conference, the Mumbai police narrated the sequence of events leading up to the murder of J Dey. "The murder was planned by Rohit Thangappan alias Satish Kalya at the behest of Chhota Rajan. Kalya is a known shooter of Rajan gang and has worked for him earlier too," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy. "While three persons were arrested from Mumbai, three were arrested from Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and one from Solapur," said Roy. According to the Mumbai police, Kalya received a call from Chhota Rajan around 20 days before June 11, the day when Dey was shot dead. "Rajan told Kalya he needs him to do a job and that money and weapons would be provided. Kalya then collected Rs. two lakh from Chembur and the murder weapon along with 25 rounds of cartridges from Nainital," Roy said. Roy further said that Rajan had kept the identity of the target a secret but had given the description of the victim and his bike number a week before the killing. Mr Dey, known for his investigative reports and books on the underworld, was riding his motorcycle in Mumbai's Powai suburb when the four men on two motorcycles pulled up. They shot five bullets at him. He was taken to a local hospital where he was declared dead upon arrival.

CM, KVP Ramachandra Rao Secret Talks

In an interesting political development, the Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, for the first time drove down to the Banjara Hills residence of the Rajya Sabha member, Dr K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, to meet him on Sunday afternoon. The two were closeted for more than an hour, sources said. Dr Ramachandra Rao had called on the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, a few days ago, itself a significant development. Sources said the Chief Minister and Dr Rao discussed the political situation in the state, particularly the situation in the Congress after the merger of the Praja Rajyam. The meeting was seen as the Chief Minister's attempt at striking a rapprochement with Dr Rao, the top aide of the then Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, and taking his advice on important political matters. Dr Rao's command over party MLAs cannot be just ignored, that too when some legislators have spoken out in support of Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy. The meeting comes ahead of the state Congress leadership's proposed action against the rebel legislators. This could even result in byelections in some constituencies, and it is learnt that the chances of the party retaining the seats was on the meeting ageda. The impact of the Praja Rajyam's merger with the Congress and its likely impact on Congress leaders in the constituencies held by the PR legislators, selection criteria for the nominated posts to various government corporations were reportedly discussed. Though speculation is rife that Dr Rao will be reinducted as adviser to the government, sources denied any such move. Dr Rao had resigned as adviser six months ago, but the Chief Minister has kept the matter on hold.  

Asteroid, Earth Get Closer on 27 June

A newly discovered house-sized asteroid will get close to the Earth by less than 17,700 km (11,000 miles) on Monday June 27, 2011. That's about 23 times closer than the Moon. The size and location of the asteroid, named 2011 MD, should allow observers in certain locations to take a look at the space rock, even with small telescopes. It's closest approach will be at 13:26 UTC on June 27. NASA analysts said that there is no chance the space rock will strike the Earth. Nevertheless, the encounter is so close that Earth's gravity will sharply perturb the asteroid's trajectory, they said. At closest approach, 2011 MD will pass in broad daylight over the southern Atlantic Ocean near the coast of Antarctica. As the asteroid recedes from Earth, it will pass through the zone of geosynchronous satellites. "The chances of a collision with a satellite or man-made space junk are extremely small, albeit not zero," NASA said. Judging from the brightness of the asteroid, it measures only 5 to 20 meters in diameter. An object of this size to come this close to Earth happens about every six years on an average. For a brief time, it will be bright enough to be seen even with a medium-sized backyard telescope, NASA said.